Windhoek
President Hage Geingob will officiate at the opening of this year’s 10th annual Okakarara Trade Fair scheduled for September 5 to 11 at the Trade Fair Centre at Okakarara in the Otjozondjupa Region.
Presidential executive director Etienne Maritz confirmed this in a letter sent this week to Okakarara Trade Fair executive chairperson Elia Kandjii.
“His Excellency (Dr Hage Geingob) has requested me to inform you that he has agreed to officiate at the 10th Okakarara Trade Fair Anniversary,” stated Maritz in the letter.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, Kandjii promised that this year’s event will be bigger and better than that of last year.
“This year we’re planning to have horse racing on a Saturday, something we did not have last year. Also, we’re planning to feature professional boxers, among others,” he said.
Kandjii said apart from the usual exhibitors they also expect high profile artists, such as the Wild Dogs, Rax Music Group, Mutjanga Ben Muundjua, Exit Music Production, Gazza Music Production, Karabo and the Charles Gospel Group to grace the event.
He said last year the event attracted over 270 exhibitors and over 13 000 visitors and this year they are expecting an even bigger number.
“The fact is that we’re celebrating ten years of existence and we’re expecting a huge crowd,” he said, adding that the fair will also be boosted by the fact that it will be held in conjunction with the Omaheke and Otjozondjupa Inter-Regional Agricultural Show.
He said the trade fair has brought massive development to the region and it is evident that the town, constituency and regional economy as a whole received a much-needed boost and in the process enticed news investors.
Furthermore, Kandjii noted that currently the OTFS is going through a transformation al management shift, which will be formally announced and launched during the official opening of this year’s trade fair.
Additionally, he said OTFS board members, staff and volunteers are taking a hands-on approach in preparing and piecing together everything to ensure that all logistics are in place. The volunteers – who are the workforce of the event – are yet to be assembled.
Kandjii used the opportunity to commend Standard Bank Namibia, MTC, Tulipame Fishing, Agribank, Meatco, Bidvest, MVA, NBC and Namibia Breweries (NBL) for the support they have rendered.“My thanks also go Lambunga Fashion Design, Kondanguno Bottle Store, Kaure Mini Shop, Okapandaroma Farming, Miss Otjozondjupa Youth 2015 Ella Mbetjiha, One Point Investment Service Station and Okakarara Cash & Carry,” he said, while pleading with other companies to come on board.
He gave assurances that the country at large and sponsors in particular would kept be abreast of the progress of the OTFS and its financial standing at the Annual General Meeting.